Yvette's Whispers of Faith

by Yvette van Niekerk In 1 Corinthians 15:10, it is written, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” Often, I hear the phrase “it is what it is,” and I resonate with the sentiment of being content with oneself. There is no one quite like me – in appearance, actions, or thoughts. I often ponder my past actions and wonder why I acted in certain ways. Reflecting on the life of the Apostle Paul, I am struck by his deep understanding of God's divine secrets. He possessed the keys to a fruitful, victorious, and power-packed Christian life, fueled by the grace of God. I long for that kind of grace in my spiritual journey, believing it would fortify me during my most challenging times. As I look at Paul's life, I marvel at his dedication – preaching, teaching, and proclaiming the gospel despite intense pressure and persecution. I wonder if I could eve...

by Yvette van Niekerk At meal times, we pause to say grace. Yet, I find myself pondering - do I truly grasp the depth of God's grace? The scriptures define it as an action of divine favor, a force that washes away sin and absolves guilt. It's the love of God, given freely, when I least deserve it. His grace stands as a beacon of forgiveness and acceptance, sufficient for every day. All I need to do is ask for it. Let's turn the spotlight on me for a moment. I am far from perfect. I've lied, stolen, gossiped, and even cheated. Each transgression carries its own weight of consequences, and guilt swiftly follows. There were times when I hesitated to seek God's grace, comparing my shortcomings to others', thinking mine were somehow worse. These experiences left scars, yet I continued to function. I once embarked on a journey to earn God's forgiveness, convinced of my own unworthiness. Though I might have appeared righteous on the surface, my soul felt as dar...

by Yvette van Niekerk Introduction Guilt is a powerful emotion that often finds its way into my thoughts, especially in the quiet moments of early morning or late at night. It clings to me, stemming from a sense of not being there enough for my children, even though they are now grown and parents themselves. While my youngest son has offered forgiveness, my eldest is still navigating his own challenges, and my daughter, she holds her feelings close. Her love for me, however, is unwavering. The Burden of Guilt It's become clear that this guilt is holding me back spiritually. It clouds my judgment and distorts my sense of purpose. At times, I feel undeserving of God's boundless grace and mercy. Yet, I turn to the scriptures, to Psalms 103:10-11, which reminds me: "He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him." Seekin...

Heavenly Father, We come before you with humble hearts, seeking Your guidance and strength. We acknowledge the truth in Your Word, that Your angels encamp around those who fear You. In moments of trouble, when we face the unknown, Your angels are dispatched to rescue, guide, and comfort us. We look to the stories of old, where Your divine messengers intervened in the lives of Your faithful ones, delivering them from peril, changing their life's course, helping them face insurmountable challenges, and strengthening them in their weakest moments. Just as Lot was rescued from the impending destruction of Sodom, just as Moses found purpose in the flames of a burning bush, just as Joshua received a divine plan to bring down the walls of Jericho, and just as Elijah, in his weariness, was touched and comforted by an angel, we too trust in Your divine intervention. We are reminded of Daniel, whose faithfulness led him into the lion's den, yet Your angel shut the mouths of the lions an...

Psalm 91:11 (NLT) assures us that God will command His angels to protect us wherever we go. Have you ever wondered when God sends His angels to assist us? Here are a few instances: When Loved Ones Disappoint: Think of Hagar, betrayed and abandoned after fulfilling God's promise. Despite her despair, God sent an angel to assure her that her son, Ishmael, was destined for greatness (Genesis 21:18). In Times of Public Humiliation: Consider Mary, facing disgrace for a pregnancy outside wedlock. God sent an angel to affirm her place in His divine plan, protecting her from societal judgment (Luke 1:34-38). Amidst Grief and Fear: Reflect on Mary Magdalene, mourning Jesus’ death. In her sorrow, God sent an angel to declare the miraculous truth: “He is not here; He is risen” (Matthew 28:6). Remember, Hebrews 13:2 reminds us that some have unknowingly hosted angels through their kindness. Despite the world's cynicism, it's essential to trust that God's love for you is genuin...

by Yvette van Niekerk Hebrews 1:14 NIV reminds us, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” God's presence can manifest in countless ways. Just as the disciples mistook Jesus for a ghost during the storm, our human understanding can sometimes cloud our faith. The Scriptures affirm that angels are "ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation." Have you ever encountered an angel? They don't always appear in resplendent white robes with grand wings. Often, they blend so seamlessly with the ordinary that we may overlook them. Hebrews 13:2 urges us, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Perhaps you wonder why God sends angels when He has blessed us with His Holy Spirit for help, protection, and guidance. It's crucial to remember that God dispatched an angel to rescue Peter from prison just before his exec...

by Yvette van Niekerk John 15:11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you.” Are you struggling to find joy in your life? Jesus promised us that His joy would remain in us and that our joy would be full. However, stress and unrealistic expectations can drain us of joy and lead us to a life of depression, dullness, and discontent. Here are two things you can do to experience the joy that Jesus promised: Concede that your uprightness is largely because of the way you have decided life would be. Acknowledge that your expectations are causing you much of your frustrations. When you keep expecting things to always be a certain way and they’re not, you will always be upset. Try approaching life today without all those expectations. For example, don’t expect everybody to be friendly – then when some are, you will be delighted. Don’t expect your day to be hassle-free; when trouble comes, look up and say “Thank you, LORD, for another chance to grow.” Rather than sw...

by Yvette van Niekerk Romans 1:1 (NASB) "Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle." In the tapestry of faith, the term "minister" weaves both noun and verb, denoting both person and action. It is not a mere claim, but a commitment lived out. In the pages of Scripture, we find the term "servant" painted vividly, sometimes depicting a galley slave, chained to the oar of a Roman vessel. Day and night, they rowed to the rhythm set by one another, anticipating their life's end bound to the oar. What a profound image! Paul entreats, "Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." (Romans 12:1, NLT) Paul's conviction was unwavering; he knew without a doubt what God had called him to be. When Paul referred to himself as a "bond servant," he painted a portrait of a servant who faithfully labored for his master for si...

Scripture: Hebrews 13:20-21 (The Message) "Now may the God of peace... make you complete in everything good so that you may do His will, working among us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." Devotional: Dear Beloved in Christ, In our journey to fulfil God's plan for our lives, we must begin by establishing clear priorities guided by His wisdom. It is said that a conclusion is where one may grow weary of pondering, and often, we might settle for priorities based on our own limitations. However, this is not the path God intends for us. Let us not allow ourselves to be swayed by the agendas of others, but rather, let us align our lives with God's divine will for us. Let us turn to the book of Hebrews, chapter 13, verses 20 and 21, where we are led to pray for God's equipping: "God, I pray for them. I pray that you would help them to do your will today, to do your will in their lives, and you wo...

By Yvette van Niekerk Embracing Personal Accountability As a devoted Christian, wife, mother, stepmother, and grandmother, I recognize the profound significance of assuming responsibility for my own life. This fundamental principle extends to my thoughts and actions, forming the cornerstone of my role as a constructive participant in all my relationships. • Evade accountability However, there have been instances where I've erred by shouldering an excessive burden for others, using it as a shield to evade accountability for my circumstances. In these moments, my focus on others and their well-being eclipsed my own need for personal growth and progress. Regrettably, I allowed these challenges to define my identity, succumbing to a pattern of chronic complaints. At times, these narratives of hardship were merely elaborate rationalizations, distortions of reality crafted to conceal my inclination to assign blame elsewhere. This not only absolved me of responsibility but also hinde...

by Yvette van Niekerk Proverbs 28: 13 "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper." Mistakes are an inherent part of our human journey, a testament to our imperfection. In our quest for success, we find solace in the wisdom of acknowledging these errors, learning from them, and diligently working to rectify them. I read that through the experiences of 105 executives, we discover common traits among those who have achieved success, yet one observation shines with particular significance. Successful individuals are those who willingly admit their mistakes and embrace the consequences, refraining from casting blame upon others. None of us relish the repercussions of our actions. When adversity strikes, our instinctual reaction is to seek a scapegoat; it's a trait woven into our very nature. Consider the tale of the Garden of Eden, where Adam, confronted by God about his transgressions, placed blame upon Eve. Similarly, Eve, when questioned, shifted responsibility to the ...